Daileys establish emergency fund at Florence-Darlington Tech

FLORENCE — Florence homebuilder Bill Dailey and his wife, Ida Margaret, have established the Will G. Dailey Fund at Florence-Darlington Technical College.

“The Dailey Fund is a critically needed loan program to assist students in overcoming temporary financial set-backs,” Florence-Darlington Tech’s Vice President for Development Jill Heiden said in a press release issued by the college.

Heiden said the fund isn’t charity, but rather assistance in overcoming a temporary crisis.

“Sometimes we have students who are juggling multi-generational family obligations, as well as full-time jobs and coursework. In such a situation where everything has to proceed smoothly, an unforeseen expense can be overwhelming,” she said. “Thanks to the generosity and compassion of the Daileys, their gift will help students realize their dreams, one student at a time.”

The Daileys said they were inspired to create and fund this program because of a similar loan program at Clemson University that allowed Bill Dailey to purchase an automobile which enabled him to commute to and from school.

Data from other colleges with similar funds demonstrate how such assistance can help students who are working hard to improve their lives.

According to officials from the Central New Mexico Community College, the Rust Opportunity Assistance Fund, established in 2005, is of valuable assistance to their students.

Over the three-year period for which the fund has data, the retention rate of students who receive funds has been higher than the retention rates for the College overall.

The Dailey Fund will assist students with Short-Term Emergency Loans — for food, school supplies, laboratory fees, short-term housing or utilities, or as a stop-gap measure while the student’s federal Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) is being processed — and for Non-Repayable Vouchers for Public Transportation.

The Dailey Fund can only be used for basic life necessities, and the Short-Term Emergency Loans must be repaid.

“Ida Margaret and Bill are helping our students reach their goals which may otherwise by unachievable,” Florence-Darlington Tech President Dr. Charles W. Gould said in the release. “They are breaking down roadblocks and creating hope and aspirations.”

The Dailey Fund will be administered by the college’s Educational Foundation. Applicants to the Dailey Fund must be recommended by a teacher, guidance counselor, pastor, career counselor or faculty. Students who are in need of assistance should call Cheryl Shepherd at (843) 661-8002.